A man who killed four people and injured seven others after hedrove into a crowd of peopleat a Fourth of July celebration while intoxicated has been sentenced to 24 years to life in state prison, prosecutors said.
Daniel Hyden, 46, was sentenced on Jan. 16 in connection with the July 4, 2024, crash in Corlears Hook Park on Manhattan's Lower East Side, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. At the time, authorities said a pickup truck "driving at a high rate of speed" ran through an intersection and onto the sidewalk, where it struck multiple people at the park.
When first responders arrived at the park, they saw the truck on top of four victims, according to authorities. Further investigation revealed that Hyden had been inebriated at the time of the crash.
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Lucille Pinkney, 59; her son Herman Pinkney, 38; and Ana Morel, 43, were "immediately pronounced dead," prosecutors said. Emily Ruiz, 30, was pronounced dead five days later "without ever regaining consciousness," according to prosecutors.
Seven others were injured in the incident, including four who sustained serious injuries to their heads, arms, and backs, prosecutors said. Three people sustained minor injuries.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that the victims "went to the celebration not knowing that Daniel Hyden would end their lives that day with his pickup truck."
"While this prison sentence will not reverse the fatalities, injuries, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of comfort for those who were impacted by this mass casualty event," Bragg said. "If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel – it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted."
Driver was stopped by witnesses who removed the key from ignition
In November 2025, Hyden was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, four counts of second-degree assault and three counts of third-degree assault, according to prosecutors.
Hyden was driving his pickup truck while intoxicated on July 4, 2024, at about 8:52 p.m. ET, prosecutors said. He then accelerated through a stop sign at 39 mph and drove through a construction zone before going over a sidewalk at a speed of up to 54 mph.
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Hyden continued to drive through a chain link fence and crashed into a large crowd of family and friends at Corlears Hook Park, according to prosecutors.
"Hyden had fully pressed down his gas pedal and did not hit his brakes until one-half second before the final crash," the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said. "Four people were trapped underneath the pickup truck, with seven others struck and injured by the truck or debris."
The truck came to a stop after trapping four people underneath, and prosecutors said Hyden attempted to flee from the scene by placing the truck in reverse. He was stopped by witnesses who removed the key from the ignition.
Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Daniel Hyden case: Man who killed 4 at NYC celebration sentenced
